Compare the Mongol invasions in Eurasia to the Viking invasions in Northern Europe. Compare them in terms of historical significance over time and affecting many people

The two invasions have noticeable differences along with some similarities. They are different in the sense that the Mongol invasions caused disunity and did not benefit any of the lands they conquered in central Asia, Russia, Persia because they wrecked more havoc than any benefits in the long run by permanently damaging lands that took centuries to recover from, they spread the bubonic plague to various regions killing millions through biological/chemical warfare and since they were constantly moving and did not have permanent settlements. The Mongols began migrating and conquering different lands because much of their grazing and farming lands had become occupied or used up. Unlike the Vikings, the Mongols used their conquered peoples (the Persians) to run their government to keep it stabilized. Similar to the Vikings; they imposed their authority through their ferocity and their swift hit and runs. They were both very mobile groups who rarely settled in permanent settlements and stuck to quick hit and run attacks at unexpected times on their enemies. Both groups went out for land and for goods that they invade and take control of because they could not manufacture specific goods they needed or wanted. The Vikings unlike the Mongols, actually benefited northern Europe in the long run by causing the unity of the Germanic peoples of England who put their differences aside in order to defend themselves against the Vikings, similar to that in Germany where the invasion ended Carolingian rule, but lead to the unity of an effective state to defend against the Vikings. The invasions encouraged decentralized political order in France and led to the rise of local authorities. Unlike the Mongols who attacked on land, the Vikings were sea raiders. The Vikings were originally Norse merchants and...

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...Vikings
Typically, the image of a Viking is a barbaric, bearded man plundering and destroying a neighboring village. This is actually the stereotypical viewpoint. In actuality, Vikings, have a very different image. For example, Vikings did not wear furry boots or furry armor, they did not have horned helmets, they invaded Britain, and they also were the first to discover America! They were also experts in nautical technology, crafts, trading, warfare and many other skills (Jonsson 1). With all of these traits, the Vikings seem like an unstoppable force in the European continent. But, who were the Vikings? The Vikings were actually venturesome seafarers. This means that they were travelers who were constantly exploring and looking for new areas of land. There roots can be traced all the way back to 6000 B.C. were nomadic men traveled in primitive crafts up the Denmark coast. Fast forward two millennia and these nomadic people have established permanent homes, but still using the boat for food and travel. As stated before, they were not just raiders, although they did do this frequently, but they were actually expert traders, trading all around the world. It wasn't until around 793 A.D. that a Viking explosion took place in northern Europe (Jonsson 2). Raids began to take place on neighboring villages and their places of worship. To some this is the only type of...

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The Vikings are Scandinavian celebrities. The lure of their culture is still attracting many admirers and their legend still lives on. Because of their popularity, even the History channel is currently running a new semi-historic drama series about this wild brood. The legend of Vikings as brutal warriors is widespread, but few people know about their society and culture. The exhibition “Vikings” at The Field Museum show that the tales of violence are only a small part of the Viking world. Through new archaeological discoveries and hundreds of rare Scandinavian artifacts on display I was able to gain fascinating insights into their domestic life, religious ceremonies, and symbolic death rituals.
Viking is a term used by modern scholars to refer to the Nordic-speaking peoples from southern Scandinavia who raided Europe and the British Isles roughly between A.D. 793-1066. There never really was a single "Viking" culture; only a loose assortment of shared ideas, economies, religious beliefs, and especially a common Germanic language known today as Old Norse. In that sense Viking culture was simply only one stage in the development of modern Scandinavian culture.
Vikings were far more than the warriors of popular stereotype; they were also skilled craftsman, innovative farmers, poets, politicians, and loyal family members who were proud and conscious of their...

...﻿The word Viking, really means "Pirate" in Norse, is used as a term, for the people who lived in Denmark, Norway and Sweden during the early Middle Ages.
They are most famous for the Viking raids of the Middle Ages and people often think of them as savage and bloodthirsty. Though many did have a life devoted to raiding and warfare, the vast majority of the Vikings lived from farming, fishing, and etc.
Law
The Vikings had a complex legal system. The word "law" is actually a Viking word. When a Viking was charged with a crime, he went to the 'ting', a court, where a jury of 12, 24 or 36 convicted or declared the viking innocent.
A common way to solve disputes between two parties was with a duel. The first Viking's blood to touch the ground lost the case. They believed that the gods were on the winners side and they wouldn't let the innocent person lose.
Clothing
Wool was used to make clothes. Wherever the Vikings settled, they brought sheep with them for the wool. The clothes were made by women who also dyed them with minerals or vegetables for different colors.
The men put on a long woolen shirt and long trousers which were held up by a drawstring. They also put a long coat on top if the weather required it. During battle, the Vikings used a shield, a helmet and a mail-chain to protect themselves.
Religion
At the beginning of the...

...﻿Rachel Halderman
Ms. Hollander
History 9 Per. 6
11-21-14
Vikings
When most people think of Vikings, they immediately picture muscular men, dressed in furs, wearing iron helmets with horns, sailing over oceans in dragon themed wooden boats, looking for new land to raid, and trying to slaughter everyone. Most think of them as fearless in fight, bloodthirsty vandals. Vikings’ culture and way of life is far less barbaric than what people think. (History.com)
Vikings were actually the first people to discover America way before Columbus and could be found as Far East as the distant reaches of Russia. The Vikings were known as raiders. Pretty much people who captured and overthrew. These “raiders” facilitated many changes throughout the lands from economics to warfare. (Live Science)
Vikings founded settlements for three centuries along the coasts and rivers of mainland Europe, Ireland, Great Britain, Normandy, the Shetland, Orkney, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and Newfoundland. They went south to North Africa and east to Russia and Constantinople. Vikings went as looters, traders, or mercenaries. Viking voyages decreased with the introduction of Christianity to Scandinavia in the late 10th and 11th century. (The Middle Ages)
There were two distinct classes of Vikings a
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Vikings
When the term Viking is brought up an immediate image of bloodthirsty men with long beards and horned helmets is planted in our minds. This is the image the historical sources have given us, and it is partly true. Vikings were merciless when raiding, but they were peaceful when they traded. Their navigational technology was exceptional, and the ones who settled in foreign lands contributed greatly to the lands’ culture.
The way we viewVikings has come mainly from sources in Western Europe who had bad experiences with the invaders, so we are presented with the worst side of the Vikings. However there is evidence of homesteads, farms, and marketplaces, which tell of a common everyday life. As the Viking period progressed, society changed; leaving families with land and power to form the basis for kingdoms, and the first towns were founded (187). Their victims’ records of the events may have exaggerated details of the Vikings’ raiding, but there is no doubt some truth in the records. The Vikings were cruel in their nature.
The Vikings are famous for their violent ways when they pillaged and plundered villages. Their first raid began on Lindisfarne Monastery and was followed by a chain of attacks all over the coast during the next 200 years. As the years went on the occurrence of Viking attacks went up as they became...

...VIKINGS
EINHERJAR  THE CHOSEN ONES
Kenneth Dunn
History 115
Professor Gordon
"Never before has such terror appeared in Britain as we have now suffered from a pagan race. Behold, the church of St. Cuthbert, spattered with the blood of the priests of God, despoiled of all its ornaments; a place more venerable than all in Britain is given as a prey to pagan peoples." - Alcuin of York, in a letter to Ethelred, King of Northumbria in England.
Vikings were a truly diverse and fascinating people. As they rode the waves of the Atlantic Ocean to many different lands, the warriors struck terror into the hearts of people throughout the many countries they raided. Just the sight of the long, carved beasts at the bows of their ships slinking toward the shores through the mist was enough weaken even the strongest soul. However, while being vicious, inhumane barbarians, a different lifestyle prevailed in their homelands as they faced the same daily struggles as any other society. They were farmers, traders, explorers, and accomplished shipbuilders. There followed laws and customs for which there were punishments if those laws were not followed. They prayed to their Gods and loved their families. In the end, the Vikings traveled over most of the world and left a lasting impression that still excites our imaginations to this day.
Social Structure and Aspects of Everyday Life...

...repaired buildings, and went on hunting expeditions.
Diet:
The Vikings were both farmers and fishers. This showed in their diet. Vikings kept cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, and hens. Along with these there was wild game. Meat and fish would be smoked, dried, and salted for the winter months. Vikings would boil their meat in hand crafted bowls that would sit on the fire or hang above it on iron chains. The fish would hang on hooks out of the boiling water. Sometimes tender meat would be grilled on spears. Vikings made a thick pancake style bread out of either rye, barley, and wheat. rye was the most common type of cereal. Vegetables were grown in fields and berries were picked in forests or even imported. Cheese was made from cows, sheep, or goats milk. The milk was also drunk. A meal was usually downed by a heavy dousing of beer.
Mens Wear:
Men would have finely groomed beards and mustaches and their attire consisted of trousers and a long tunic which was topped with a cloak. The outfit was held in place by a single brooch. The men were actually very clean and well kept (although they did use the same bull to wash their faces and blow their noses.) Razors, tweezers, ear spoons, and combs have been found in abundance in burial mounds. In fact, combs seem to be the most common artefact found from the Viking Age. Vikings even made a bleach because they were very fond of...

...MONGOL TRIAL PREP SHEET
* Destruction under the Mongol Empire quantifies death toll and infrastructure damage ensuing from the 13th century Mongol conquests. Historians regard the Mongol raids and invasions as some of the deadliest conflicts in human history up through that period.
* The Mongols brought terror to Europe on a scale not seen again until the twentieth century. The Mongol invasions induced population displacement on a scale never seen before, particularly in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.
* The Mongol Tax Laws serve as an example of the ruthlessness: submission to their will, or annihilation.
* Even though Chinggis was religiously tolerant, he would destroy native places of worship if met with the slightest resistance.
* Mongol campaigns in Northern China, Central Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East caused extensive destruction.
* Herat, Kiev, Baghdad, Nishapur, Vladimir and Samarkand suffered serious devastation by the Mongol armies. For example, there is a noticeable lack of Chinese literature from the Jin Dynasty, predating the Mongol conquest, and in the Battle of Baghdad libraries, books, literature, and hospitals were burned: some of the books were thrown into the river. The partially Mongol-descended Mamelukes are reported also to have used manuscripts as boot repair...